§1308.13. Time limits for decisions. — Inbound Citations

Any failure by Contracting Officer to issue a decision on a submitted claim within the period required or permitted by § 1308.13, will be deemed to be a decision by the Contracting Officer denying the claim and will authorize the commencement of an appeal on the claim under this part, or a suit on the claim as provided in section 10(a)(2) of the Act. If no appeal or suit pursuant to this section has been commenced at the time the Contracting Officer issues a decision, the right to sue or appeal and the time limits therefor shall be determined as otherwise provided in this part and the Act, and this section shall not authorize an appeal or suit from the decision.

If an appeal has been taken because of a Contracting Officer's failure to render a timely decision, as provided by § 1308.17, the Hearing Officer, with or without a motion by a party, may stay proceedings on the appeal in order to obtain a decision on the matter appealed. Oral argument will not be heard on such a motion unless otherwise directed. The stay order will normally set a date certain by which the decision of the Contracting Officer will be rendered. Such date shall take into account the factors mentioned in § 1308.13(c), the length of time the matter has already been pending before the Contracting Officer, and the need for prompt and expeditious action on appeals.